Living with asthma can be very difficult. The following information may make coping with asthma a little bit easier. The information guide is comprised of the top recommendations and guidance to support you in managing your asthma, and to help make your everyday life richer and easier.
An important part of symptom management is knowing what type of asthma you have. Gaining as much knowledge as you can about the type of asthma you have can make your day-to-day activities a little easier. People who suffer from exercise-induced asthma should consider carrying an emergency inhaler in their bag. Learn what activities trigger your symptoms, and prepare accordingly so that you’re never caught without your inhaler during an asthma attack.
If you suffer from asthma, avoid smoke, fumes and vapors. Stay away from jobs that would expose you to toxic or heavy vapors, and refrain from any tobacco use.
Asthma is a disease that is continuous. As such, it requires long-term health management. Be sure you are practicing proper self-care, and make sure you have your inhaler ready to go in case you suffer a full-blown attack. To determine the best options for you personally, consult your physician and an allergist.
Be careful of chemical cleaners if you are asthmatic. Cleaning products may contain chemicals which can trigger an asthmatic episode, such as ammonia. Instead of relying on harsh cleaners, check out some organic solutions. They might cost a few dollars more, but the difference is well worth it.
If you have asthma and suffer persistent attacks caused by allergy symptoms, an injectable medicine can be administered for extended relief. An antibody medicine under the name Omalizumab can be used to reduce these symptoms caused by allergies and might be prescribed by your allergist.
Anyone suffering from asthma or asthma-like symptoms needs to stay clear of cigarette smoke, whether you smoke yourself, or even if you’re breathing secondhand smoke. If you don’t smoke, don’t start. If you do smoke, stop. Avoid vapors and chemical fumes from cigarettes. These can trigger a severe asthma attack that can be difficult to get under control. Never visit a home or establishment where people will be smoking, and if people start to smoke, walk out.
Be certain to properly use your inhaler. A lot of people use inhalers improperly, so be sure that you’re adhering to the manufacturer’s suggested instructions. The inhaler can only help you if the medication actually reaches the lungs. Inhale air while spraying the necessary amount of medication into your mouth. Continue holding your breath for approximately 10 seconds. This way, the medication will soak into the cells of your lungs.
Talk to your doctor about getting a leukotriene inhibitor if you have asthma. There are modern medicines that are highly effective at blocking leukotrienes. Leukotriene, a chemical substance, can provoke an inflammation that causes an asthma attack. When used properly, an inhibitor can help reduce symptoms and prevent attacks.
If you have asthma and lack the health insurance coverage to deal with asthma treatment, talk to a social worker. Social workers are trained to help people find resources for affording health care, particularly on debilitating conditions such as asthma.
Social Worker
Asthmatics should have a flu shot every year to prevent contracting a serious respiratory infection. If you are afflicted with asthma, avoid getting any infections if possible. This means that you should take all standard precautions to avoid illness, such as washing your hands, getting vaccinated and avoiding those who are sick.
If you have asthma and do not have health insurance, you should consider seeing a social worker. It is critical that every asthma sufferer have access to the proper medicines to keep the condition under control, and a social worker could help you locate a hospital or clinic that will provide you the necessary medication on a low or no-fee basis.
If you use more than four cleaning products, you are increasing the risks of an asthma attack. Try organic cleaners that are free of irritating chemicals.
Get a flu shot every season and make sure your family does as well. Asthma patients should try their best to avoid getting respiratory infections. Precautions include washing your hands and staying current with vaccinations.
If you’ve got asthma, don’t smoke or be near smokers. When you inhale tobacco smoke, particularly in small areas without much ventilation, lung function may be severely impacted, and you have a higher chance of having an attack.
A dehumidifier is an excellent investment for asthma sufferers. Cutting down the humidity in the house will lower the amount dust mites in the air, and that will mean fewer asthma flare-ups. Air is kept dry by dehumidifiers by sucking the humidity out of it.
When you travel, your rescue medication should be with you all the time. Traveling is hard on your body, opening you up to an asthma attack. It’s hard to have much control over your environment when you travel, which makes it more likely you will have some sort of symptoms or an asthma attack.
Buy products that are unscented if you suffer from asthma. Products with a strong smell such as air fresheners, incense or perfume can trigger asthma attacks. Freshly painted walls and brand-new carpet can also give off odors that cause irritation to airways. Try keeping the air indoors as fresh as it can be.
Attend your regular asthma checkups, even if things seem to be going well. Medical science is constantly evolving, so the doctor might know about a new treatment for you. Besides, you can never be sure when another attack might come on, so it’s better to be checked out.
Join a support group, online or in “real life”, to find help from your peers. Suffering from asthma can mean many days are spent at home with your condition stopping you from participating in a full and fulfilling lifestyle. Your peers will be able to provide you with advice and tips that work for them, information about new treatment techniques, and even some home remedies you might not know about.
Look into becoming a part of a support group. There are many to choose from both online and offline. If you have asthma, it can stop you from participating in basic activities like sports, especially if the condition is severe. By joining a support group, you will be able to discuss new scientific breakthroughs or treatment alternatives with those who are interested.
Rescue Medication
Most homes are full of common asthma triggers. These culprits include dust, spores and mold. Having your house inspected yearly is a good way to reduce the presence of these asthma triggers. Keep your house clean to keep these asthma triggers out of your home.
Understanding how to properly administer your asthma medications is important, particularly in regard to rescue medications. Asthma typically is treated so that the sufferer has a regular maintenance medication, but is also prescribed a rescue medication, like an inhaler. Asthma is not curable, so it is very important that you take your medication properly and only use your rescue medication if you need it.
Asthma often takes time to develop, the symptoms appearing slowly. In fact, some people who didn’t even realize they had asthma died as a result of their initial attack. Discuss with your doctor if you are having problems trying to catch your breath or have had a persistent cough for a while. There is the possibility that you have developed asthma, and if so, your doctor can tell you what the best method to treat it would be.
Asthma is a health condition that usually develops over a period of time, and has symptoms that may not be obvious. Some people have even died from having an asthma attack, and they didn’t even know they had asthma. That is why it is important to check regularly with your doctor and always point out if you are having any kind of breathing problems or related symptoms. With the proper medical attention, you can prevent attacks and keep asthma under control.
It is important to use your maintenance inhaler daily as prescribed. However, understand that most types of inhalers contain ingredients which may make your mouth more susceptible to infections. You may be able to avoid this problem by brushing your teeth or rinsing your mouth thoroughly after each use of the inhaler.
When housecleaning, it is better to clean your floors with a damp mop than sweeping them with a broom. Sweeping sends dust and dander back into the air and could trigger an asthma attack. You can greatly reduce this by using a wet sponge, damp rag, or moist cloth instead of your old-fashioned feather duster.
Avoid smoke to prevent asthma and asthma attacks. Smoke can cause you to have an asthma attack. Stay away from cigarettes, chemicals, and anything else that may emit smoke. These can increase symptoms of asthma. Politely request that smokers abstain from smoking in your presence.
Get a second opinion. Of course your regular doctor will be the one you go to for help with your asthma, but you should also see a specialist. You’ll want to visit an asthma center, or consult with a pulmonologist to get additional help improving your lung function. In addition, you should get tested for allergies so that you can avoid allergic reactions that trigger asthma attacks.
For asthma sufferers having contact with pets or other animals need to be minimized. Many people with asthma also suffer from allergies to animal dander. Even without a specific allergy, asthma attacks can be triggered by the dust and dander in the air caused by the presence of an animal.
If you suffer from asthma attacks, familiarize yourself with how to properly use your inhaler. Don’t just breathe normally or shallowly after spraying inhaled medication into your mouth. With each spray, you have to take a deep breath so that the medication gets into your lungs. Properly using your asthma inhaler is one of the most important ways you, as a person with asthma, can protect your health.
Visit at least two different doctors. You may use your primary physician for most things, but a specialist can be very helpful as well. The allergists, pulmonologists and nutritionists in asthma centers can help you take full advantage of all treatments available.
If you suffer from asthma and have to use your inhaler in excess of two or three times per week, you should see a doctor and ask about changing your medication. This level of frequency can mean your medication is ineffective for your needs. In addition, if you must change the cartridge in the inhaler more than two times in a year, you may need to see your doctor regarding a medication switch.
Do not smoke! A lot of people know smoking is bad, but with asthma, it can be even worse. Your lungs could become very irritated if you smoke, and you should avoid being around others that are smoking.
The tips provided above should help you in the future, so that you know what you can and cannot do with asthma, and maybe help you to see that there are more things that you can do if you are properly prepared. With all the information you acquired today, there should be no reason why you cannot enjoy a more functioning lifestyle as well as taking a positive approach towards everything in your life.
If you’re finding that you need to use your inhaler 3 or more times a week, it’s best to talk to your doctor about switching medications. This frequency of inhaler use means that your inhaler medication is not functioning effectively. Having to restock your inhaler more frequently than once every six months is also a concern.